Salford City Reds marked their return to Super League with a dramatic National League One Grand Final victory over Celtic Crusaders, who will join them in the top flight next season under the sport's new licence system. Salford's Papua New Guinean centre John Wilshere nervelessly slotted a 40-metre penalty to level the scores with the last kick of normal time, and the Reds powered past their brave opponents in extra-time.

Had this been the winner-take-all scenario of previous seasons, with the victors the only side securing promotion, then more focus may have fallen on the last-minute decision to penalise the Crusaders' back rower Darren Mapp for holding down Richie Myler. But while Celtic were undoubtedly disheartened by allowing their match-winning position to slip, that disappointment will be eased by their place among rugby league's elite next season.

"Our primary goal this season was to win a Super League licence," the Crusaders coach John Dixon said. "We've had a wonderful year, to get within 20 seconds of being the National League One premiers. The final score wasn't a true indication of what happened today, but you have to give credit to Salford. There was enormous pressure on John (Wilshere), but he did a great job with that kick."

Dixon is expected to add the St Helens pair of Matty Smith and Steve Tyrer, plus the Australians Lincoln Withers, Marshall Chalk and Mark Bryant to his squad for next year, while Salford have already confirmed several new additions to their ranks. The Reds will also take a host of talented young players back into Super League with them, with the teenage scrum-half Myler the pick against Celtic. His performance earned him a surprise call-up to the England train-on squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

"They will be physically tougher and mentally stronger for this season," the Salford coach Shaun McRae said. "We're not under any illusions about the challenge that Super League will offer - it will be a lot more intense than what we have been playing in, and we will have to learn to adjust. But I think what we've seen today is the future of this club."

Tries to the wingers Paul White, after just five minutes, and Matt Gardner had given McRae's side a 10-0 advantage at the 30-minute mark, only for the Crusaders to respond just before half-time through the Welsh international Anthony Blackwood. Celtic then enjoyed their best spell of the game after the restart, taking the lead with tries from Luke Dyer and Jordan James, and regaining it again through a remarkable 55-metre interception try from David Tangata-Toa after Karl Fitzpatrick had briefly put the Reds back in front.

Then came the late drama of Wilshere's penalty, and in extra-time Salford had too much for the Welsh side, scoring further tries through Ian Sibbit, White and a runaway Myler, who on this evidence will light up Super League next season